REPORT - FATA Research Centre

FATA SECURITY

REPORTThird Quarter (July – September) 2016

FATA RESEARCH CENTRE

Map of FATA Map of FATA Map of FATA

FEDERALLY ADMISISTERED TRIBALAREAS

ContentsContentsContents

About FATA Research Centre......................................................................................................................................... i

FATA Quarterly Security Report.............................................................................................................. i

Methodology........................................................................................................................................ i

Acronyms............................................................................................................................................................................. ii

Glossary................................................................................................................................................................................ iii

Chapter1

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Pro�ile of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)...................................................................................... 1

Security Overview of FATA, 2nd Quarter, 2016...................................................................................................... 2

Chapter 2

Agency wise Analysis....................................................................................................................................................... 5

Bajaur Agency..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Mohmand Agency.............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Khyber Agency.................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Kurram Agency................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Orakzai Agency................................................................................................................................................................... 10

North Waziristan Agency................................................................................................................................................ 12

South Waziristan Agency................................................................................................................................................ 13

Chapter 3

Trends and Analysis......................................................................................................................................................... 15

Militant Tactics................................................................................................................................................................... 15

FATA Reforms..................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Rehabilitation of IDPs...................................................................................................................................................... 16

About FATA Research Centre

FATA Research Centre (FRC) is a non-par�san, non-poli�cal and non-governmental research organiza�on based in Islamabad. It is the first ever think-tank that specifically focuses on the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan in its en�rety.The purpose of establishing the FRC is to create a be�er understanding about the conflict in FATA among the concerned stake holders through undertaking independent, impar�al and objec�ve research and analysis. The FRC endeavors to create awareness among all segments of the Pakistani society and the government to jointly strive for a peaceful, tolerant and progressive FATA.

FATA Quarterly Security Report

The FATA Quarterly Security Report reviews recent trends in conflict in FATA such as the number and type of militant a�acks, tac�cs and strategies used by the militants and the resultant casual�es. The objec�ve of this security report is to outline and categorize all forms of violent extremism, role of militant groups and the scale of militant ac�vi�es in the area. This report is the result of regular monitoring of militant and counter-militant ac�vi�es while employing primary and secondary sources. The Centre collects data from the field through its field researchers working in FATA, and also consults reliable secondary sources to ensure the quality and veracity of its research. However, it also faces certain limita�ons since the area under discussion is undergoing counter-insurgency opera�ons and imposi�on of curfews. Hence, militant and counter-militant a�acks some�mes restrict the mobility of our field staff. Thus, the number of actual occurrences of violent acts may be greater than those being reported here.

Methodology

The FRC research team collects informa�on and data from both primary and secondary sources and presents its analysis on the security issues. FRC's internal database prepared through daily monitoring of more than a dozen English and Urdu newspapers, periodicals, magazines, monitoring and reviews of locally distributed literature in the area and data collected from poli�cal administra�on in FATA Agencies contribute in the compila�on of this work. Addi�onally, an up-to-date archive system at the FRC is consulted for authen�city and reference to important events and incidents. FRC correspondents, based in FATA, provide informa�on and data a�er verifica�on from concerned poli�cal administra�on offices and locals of the area.

i

AI Ansar-ul-Islam

APAs Assistant Poli�cal Agents

FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas

FCR Fron�er Crimes Regula�on

FDA FATA Development Authority

FRC FATA Research Centre

HBIEDs Human-borne Improvised Explosive Devices

IBOs Intelligence-based Opera�ons

IED Improvised Explosive Devices

JA Jamaat-ul-Ahrar

KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

LI Lashkar-e Islam

NWA North Waziristan Agency

PAs Poli�cal Agents

SAFRON Ministry of States and Fron�er Regions

SWA South Waziristan Agency

TTP Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

US United States

VBIEDs Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Devices

Acronyms

ii

Glossary

Militant A�acks Indiscriminate use of violence by militant ou�its - local, non-local andforeign. The militant ou�its predominantly include Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its various offshoots and splinter groups like Mahsud Taliban of Khan Said and Sheharyar groups, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JA) of Omar Khalid and Majlis-e-Askari; Lashkar-e Islam (LI), Ansar-ul-Islam(AI); Taliban militant groups including Bahawal Khan of Wana-South Waziristan Agency (SWA) and Hafiz Gul Bahadar group of North Waziristan Agency (NWA); Jamaat al-Qaeda al-Jihad; and Uzbek militants of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. All the above men�oned groups employ suicide a�acks, beheadings, target killings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during their ambushes and are involved in destruc�on of public proper�es including CD/video shops, cinemas, public schools and hospitals etc.

Counter-Militant A�acks Large-scale military opera�ons launched by security forces and para-military troops against militants in FATA in order to restore law and order and establish the writ of the state. This category includes military offensives, search and targeted opera�ons, intelligence-based opera�ons (IBOs), air a�acks employing fighter jets, gunship helicopters and drones.

Security Forces This include Pakistan Armed Forces, Fron�er Corps, Fron�er Constabulary, Khassadar force, Levies force and the police.

Inter and intra-tribal clashes Clashes or feuds reported between tribes, clans and families inFATA.

Amn Lashkar (Urdu for Peace Mili�as) Volunteer tribal mili�as formed by tribes, clans andsub-clans inhabi�ng FATA to aid the Pakistani government and security forces in their ba�le against militants of all shades. Other words used for such a volunteer force are tribal lashkars, civil mili�as, Amn Commi�ees (Urdu for Peace Commi�ees)

Bomb Blasts The category of bomb blasts include a�acks involving explosives such as improvisedexplosive devices (IEDs) landmines, remote controlled explosive devices, human-borne improvised explosive devices (HBIEDs) and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).

Total Number of Casual�es The sum of total killed and injured in FATA due to militant and counter-militant ac�vi�es

iii

Profile of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)

FATA is strategically located at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP) and Afghanistan. FATA, both historically and traditionally, has enjoyed a unique administrative and political status since British control over the area in 1894. In 1893, the respective governments of the British India and Afghanistan signed the Durand Line Agreement which formally demarcated the sphere of in�luence of the two countries over their respective territories. FATA, which had long existed as Azad Qabail (Urdu for independent tribes), �inally fell into the sphere of the British Indian government. The Durand Line not only marked the of�icial boundary between British India and Afghanistan and established the British control over FATA, but also had an inherent effect of dividing some of the FATA tribes on both sides of the border.

The British Indian government devised a unique set of laws, known as the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), to administer FATA through an effective combination of Political Agents (PAs) and tribal elders while allowing maximum autonomy to the respective tribes to run their tribal affairs under local rawaj (tradition) and Sharia (Islamic law). The of�ice of Political Agent, the administrative head of each tribal agency, wields extensive administrative as well as judicial powers. Each agency, depending on its size, holds about two to three assistant political agents (APAs), about three to four Tehsildars, four to nine Naib Tehsildars and requisite supporting staff. Pakistan, upon its establishment in August 1947, inherited this system which it continued with a few minor changes over the course of time.

FATA is comprised of seven agencies – Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. The society is predominantly Pashtun and exhibits a strong tribal structure with rich ethnic and cultural heritage. There are more than two dozen tribes inhabiting the area. According to 1998 census, the population of FATA is estimated at 4.45 million, with an average growth rate of 3.76 percent, and an average house-hold size of 12.2. Under the Constitution of Pakistan, FATA falls under the exclusive domain of the President, who has devolved his powers to the Governor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KP) to look after its day-to-day affairs. There are three administrative set-ups, namely, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), the FATA Secretariat, and the FATA Development Authority (FDA) which oversee FATA under the directives of Governor of KP. FATA continues to be governed through the Frontier Crimes Regulation Act (FCR) of 1901, which was amended in 2011.

Chapter 1

Introduction

1

The incident of 9/11 changed the security situa�on of FATA more than it did in other parts of the world. As a spillover effect of conflict in Afghanistan, the diverse militant ou�its established their sanctuaries in the area. As a result, Pakistan, pushed by the United States (US), launched security opera�ons against the suspected militants in FATA. The first military opera�on was launched in March 2004 in SWA; it was followed by the US drone strike that killed the then supreme leader of Taliban, Nek Muhammad. This further aggravated the security situa�on and led to the emergence of new militant groups in FATA. Consequently, the terrorist assaults and subsequent counter military opera�ons, which, in turn, also caused vast collateral damages, became the dominant features of the area. However, a rela�ve peace has been observed during the first three quarters of 2016 which indicates towards the success of security opera�ons against the an�-state elements opera�ng in FATA.

rdSecurity Overview of FATA 3 Quarter, 2016rdThe security situa�on in FATA worsened during the 3 Quarter, July – September, 2016, as compared to the

previous quarter. A rise in militancy incidents was observed during this �me period. Civilians remained the prime target of militants, however, a�acks on security forces were carried out as well and cross border ac�vi�es were also maneuvered. Most of the casual�es were caused to civilians which indicates that militants have somewhat regained their opera�onal strength across the North Western region of Pakistan.

A total of 52 terrorism and counter-terrorism incidents occurred during the third quarter, July – September nd

2016. The number of militancy and counter militancy incidents have escalated as compared to the 2 quarter of 2016, during which 37 incidents were reported. During the third quarter, 31 incidents were carried out by the terrorists while 21 counter-terrorism offensives were launched by Pakistan military forces against the militant elements.

The following graph shows the terrorist a�acks in FATA during the third quarter of 2016.

The terrorists conducted 14 a�acks against civilians throughout the FATA agencies, with the excep�on of Orakzai agency, including a high profile suicide a�ack in Mohmand agency which resulted in 59 (28 killed and 31 injured) civilian casual�es. In Khyber, Mohmand, and Bajaur agencies, security forces were targeted in 13 a�acks. The militants employed IEDs and ambushed the security check posts during their attacks against the security personnel. Four cross border attacks, in form of guerrilla assaults,were also carried out in Bajaur, Mohmand, and Khyber agencies.

2

The 21 incidents pertaining to counter-terrorism, recorded in the third quarter of 2016, are illustrated in the graphs below.

During the quarter,16 ground operations and 5 aerial strikes were carried out across FATA. Owing to the ongoing operation Khyber 3, these security operations were largely concentrated in Khyber agency. Moreover, the operations were also carried out in Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, and South Waziristan Agencies.

The violent incidents, occurred during the outgoing quarter, caused a total of 215 casualties, as recorded in the following graphs.

A total of 106 casualties were caused to the civilians, while 75 to militants, and 34 to the security personnel across FATA.

In Bajaur Agency, two militants, two civilians, and three security personnel were killed while two civilians were injured. In Mohmand Agency, six militants, 39 civilians, and four security personnel were killed while one security of�icial and 43 civilians were injured. In Khyber Agency, 44 militants, three civilians and four security of�icials were killed while 23 militants, �ive civilians, and 13 security personnel sustained injuries. A civilian was killed while four security personnel and three civilians

3

were killed while one security official and 43 civilians were injured. In Khyber Agency, 44 militants, three civilians and four security officials were killed while 23 militants, five civilians, and 13 security personnel sustained injuries. A civilian was killed while four security personnel and three civilians were injured in Kurram Agency. No casual�es were reported in Orakzai Agency. Three civilians and one security official lost their lives in North Waziristan while three security personnel were injured there. One security official and one civilian were killed while four civilians were wounded in South Waziristan.

The graph given below shows the compara�ve analysis of militancy and counter militancy incidents between second Quarter 2016 and third quarter 2016.

There had been a total of 52 militancy and counter militancy incidents during the third quarter as compared to 37 such incidents in the second quarter of 2016. The above given graph illustrates that the number of militancy and counter militancyincidents have escalated during these three months. However, the main change have been seen in the counter militancy incidents. There had been a sum of 21 counter militancy incidents (17 search opera�ons and five air strikes) as compared to 8 similar counter terrorism steps taken by the government in the second quarter of 2016. The militancy incidents in FATA during the third quarter sums up to 31(14 a�acks on civilians, 13 a�acks on security forces and four cross border a�acks) while,during the second quarter, the figure of such incidents was 29. With the ongoing military opera�on in Khyber Agency, codenamed “Khyber III”, the security forces have been somewhat successful in comba�ng militants and retalia�ng their cross-border a�acks, mostly using the guerilla tac�cs.

4

Agency wise Analysis

Security Situa�on in Bajaur Agency

Second Quarter 2016

Nature of A�acks

Incidents

Killings

Injuries

Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians

2

2

1

on Military

3

5

1 on Peace Lashkar

0

0

0

Cross Border A�acks

Shelling

0

0

0 Guerilla Ac�vi�es

2

0

0 Clashes Between Militant Groups

0

0

0

Military Opera�on

Search Opera�ons

2

0

0 Aerial Strikes

0

0

0 Ar�llery Shelling

0

0

0

Curfews

0

0

0

Drones A�acks

0

0

0

Lashkar Opera�ons

0

0

0

TOTAL 9 7 2

Bajaur Agency

During the third quarter of 2016, nine terrorist incidents occurred across Bajaur Agency. These incidents caused a total of nine casual�es, out of which, seven were deaths and 2 were injuries. Five IED a�acks and two cross border guerrilla ac�vi�es were carried out by the militants. A total of seven militancy incidents, including two cross border a�acks, two IED a�acks on civilians, and three IED a�acks on security forces, were reported in the agency while two counter terrorism ground opera�ons were carried out by the security forces.

The table below describes the casual�es caused in Bajaur Agency pertaining to different violent ac�vi�es, during the third quarter (July - September, 2016).

Casualty Types Bajaur Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 2 0

Civilians 2 2

Security Forces

3

0

Peace Forces/ Aman Lashkar

0

0

Total

7

2

Total Casualties

9

5

Chapter 2

In total, nine casual�es were recorded in nine violent incidents during this quarter across the agency. Two militants, two civilians, and three security officials were killed while two civilians were injured in these incidents.

Mohmand Agency A total of 14 violent incidents rocked Mohmand Agency during the third quarter (July - September, 2016);nine of these were militancy incidents while five were counter militancy opera�ons. Militancy incidents included three target killings, four IED blasts, one suicide bombing, and one cross border guerrilla ac�vity. On the other hand, four search opera�ons and an aerial strike were carried out against miscreants opera�ng in the agency.

Security Situa�on in Mohmand Agency

Second Quarter 2016

Nature of A�acks Incidents Killings Injuries

Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 4 39 43

on Military 4 4 1

on Peace Lashkar 0 0 0

Cross Border A�acks Shelling 0 0 0

Guerilla Ac�vi�es 1 0 0

Clashes Between Militant Groups 0 0 0

Military Opera�on

Search Opera�ons 4 0 0

Aerial Strikes 1 6 0

Ar�llery Shelling 0 0 0

Curfews 0 0 0

Drones A�acks 0 0 0

Lashkar Opera�ons 0 0 0

TOTAL 14 49 44

6

The violent incidents resulted in a total of 93 casual�es, the details of which are recorded in the table below.

During the third quarter, 49 killings and 44 injuries accounted for 93 casual�es, caused during the quarter in

14 incidents which occurred across the agency. Six militants, four security officials, and 39 civilians were killed

while 43 civilians and one security official were wounded. Owing to a high profile suicide bombing incident

that took place in the agency, the high number of civilian casual�es were reported during this quarter. Jamaat-

ul-Ahrar, a splinter fac�on of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility of the incident.

Casualty Types Mohmand Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 6 0

Civilians 39 43

Security Forces 4 1

Peace Forces/ Aman Lashkar 0 0

Total 49 44

Total Casualties 93

7

Security Situa�on in Khyber Agency

Second Quarter 2016


Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 2 3 5

on Military 4 4 18





Military Opera�on




Curfews 0 0 0



TOTAL 17 51 41

Khyber Agency

In Khyber Agency, 17 violent incidents occurred during the third quarter of 2016. Out of these, seven were terrorism incidents while ten were counter-terrorism operations. The militantsattacked civilians and security forces in two target killings, two IED attacks, one cross border guerilla activity, and two ambushes on the security check posts. On the other hand, six search operations and four aerial strikes, as part of the ongoing military operation, Khyber-3, in the agency, were recorded during this quarter. Seven terrorists were also detained during this quarter in the ground operations.

In total, 51 people died while 41wounded in these violent incidents. The following table records these

92 casualties in detail.

Casualty Types Khyber Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 44 23

Civilians 3 5

Security Forces 4 13


Total 51 41

Total Casualties 92

8

During the third quarter, 44 terrorists were killed and 23 were injured which manifested the efficiency of the state's counter terrorism strategy. The terrorists,however, managed to kill three civilians and four security officials and inflicted wounds upon five civilians and 13 security officials which elucidatestheir opera�onal capacity in parts of the agency.

Kurram Agency

During the third quarter (July - September, 2016), Kurram Agency witnessed three terrorism incidents

comprising one target killing and two IED attacks which were carried out by the terrorists in different

areas of the agency.

Security Situa�on in Kurram Agency Second Quarter 2016


Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 2 1 3

on Military 1 0 4 on Peace Lashkar

0

0

0

Cross Border A�acks

Shelling

0

0

0

Guerilla Ac�vi�es

0

0

0

Clashes Between Militant Groups

0

0

0

Military Opera�on

Search Opera�ons

0

0

0 Aerial Strikes

0

0

0 Ar�llery Shelling

0

0

0 Curfews

0

0

0 Drones A�acks

0

0

0 Lashkar Opera�ons

0

0

0

TOTAL

3

1

7

9

The table below illustrates the casual�es caused in these incidents.

During the third quarter (July - September, 2016), eight casual�es were reported across the agency, which

comprised the killing of a civilian and injuries of three civilians and four security personnel.

10

Casualty Types Kurram Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 0 0

Civilians 1 3

Security Forces 0 4


Total 1 7

Total Casualties 8

11

Military Opera�on




Curfews 0 0 0



TOTAL 1 0 0

Security Situa�on in Orakzai Agency

Second Quarter 2016


Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 0 0 0

on Military 0 0 0





Orakzai Agency

During the third quarter, Orakzai agency has been remained the most peaceful locality in FATA as only one

search opera�on was carried out during the said period. No casualty was reported across the agency;

however, a suspect was arrested in the opera�on.

Security Situa�on in NWA Agency

Second Quarter 2016


Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 2 3 0

on Military 1 1 3 on Peace Lashkar 0 0 0


Guerilla Ac�vi�es 0 0 0 Clashes Between Militant Groups 0 0 0

Military Opera�on

Search Opera�ons

0

0

0

Aerial Strikes

0

0

0

Ar�llery Shelling

0

0

0

Curfews

0

0

0

Drones A�acks

0

0

0

Lashkar Opera�ons

0

0

0

TOTAL 3 4 3

12

North Waziristan Agency

During the third quarter of 2016, three violent incidentsrela�ng to terrorism were carried out in North

Waziristan Agency which resulted in seven casual�es. One of these was a target killing while the other two

were IED a�acks.

The details of casual�es are recorded in the table below.

During the quarter, three civilians and one security official were killed while three security personnel were

wounded. As the militant networks were dismantled during the opera�on Zarb-e-Azb, no terrorist incident

was reported during previous quarter across the agency. During the third quarter, however, a�er the

opera�on has formallybeen called off, the occurrence of three terrorist incidents indicates that militants are

endeavoring to revive their posi�on in the agency.

Casualty Types NWA Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 0 0

Civilians 3 0

Security Forces 1 3


Total 4 3 Total Casualties 7

South Waziristan Agency

A�er witnessing a rela�vely calm period, South Waziristan Agency witnessed five violent incidents during the

third quarter. Two IED a�acks targe�ng the civilians were carried out by the terrorists while three search

opera�ons were launched by security forces against the militant elements.

Security Situa�on in SWA Agency

Second Quarter 2016


Terrorist A�acks

on Civilians 2 1 4

on Military 0 0 0





Military Opera�on




Curfews 0 0 0



TOTAL 5 2 4

13

Casualty Types SWA Agency Second Quarter 2016 Killed Injured

Militants 0 0

Civilians 1 4

Security Forces 1 0


Total 2 4

Total Casualties 6

A total of six casual�es occurred in these incidents. The details of casual�es are tabulated below.

In total, two people, including a civilian and a security official, were killed while four civilians were injured in

violent incidents occurred during this quarter across the agency. However, no militant casual�es were

reported.

14

Trends and AnalysisFATA, yet again, experienced a rise in militant ac�vi�es as compared to the previous two quarters of 2016. In comparison to the previous quarter, a surge in terrorism, as well as counter terrorism incidents was observed during the third quarter, July – September, 2016. The unfortunate suicide a�ack at a mosque in Mohamand agency, claimed by the banned militant ou�it Jamat-ul-Ahrar (JA) was a big blow to the overall security scenario of FATA during this quarter. The group has been quite ac�ve in the whole country including all the agencies. A�er the lauded success of opera�on Zarb-e-Azb in completely rou�ng out militants from North Waziristan Agency mostly belonging to Mahsud Taliban a.k.aSajna group, a splinter of TTP, Pakistan Army launched Khyber 3 in Rajgal valley of Khyber agency with the aim of seizing the militants' infiltra�on from Afghanistan into Pakistan and neutralizing the militants associated with militant group of Lashkar-e-Islam (LI), taking refuge in the perilous mountains of FATA. The on-going counter-terrorism opera�on in Khyber agency, has so far been a great success with more than a dozen of militant hideouts destroyed and tens of militants put to the ground.The TTP-South Waziristan chapter led by ShehryarMahsud,a�er being ousted from South Waziristan Agency by Pakistan military forces, has also remained par�ally ac�ve inKurram Agency during the quarter. However, the group's cross border guerilla tac�cs, observed during the previous quarter,have been replaced by IED a�acks on security personnel along the border. Pakistan military, to a great extent, have subdued the group's contribu�on to the increase in sectarian violencein Kurram agency. According to security officials, the military is determined to con�nue the an�-terror opera�ons un�l the last speck of terrorist ou�its is ousted from the soil of Pakistan and the borders are completely seized for an�-state elements.

Militant Tac�cs

There is no denying the fact that,currently, the militants have been displaying weak opera�onal capacity in FATA. During this quarter as well, when a number of terrorist a�acks have been reported in FATA, an analysis of the tac�cs employed by them clearly shows that they have been lacking the opera�onal capacity. IED remained the most preferred tac�c for them during this quarter, which is rela�vely a passive means of terrorizing masses. During this quarter,17 IED a�acks were reported across the tribal areas. Seven incidents of target killings were also reported. At four occasions, cross border a�acks were carried out in the form of guerrilla ac�vi�es. There were two incidents of ambush on security check posts and a large scale suicide bombing also took place during the said period. Where, on one hand, passive IED a�acks show the limited opera�onal capacity of militants in FATA, a high profile suicide a�ack is indica�ve of their efforts for regaining lost grounds in the region. On one hand, the success of military opera�ons is being lauded while, on the other, militants who fled away to Afghanistan during the military opera�ons are infiltra�ng the tribal areas and are posing threats to the rela�ve stability in the region.

Chapter 3

15

FATA Reforms

To maintain law and order in the tribal areas, the British government constituted an administrative

framework known as the Frontier Crimes Regulations in 1901. Under this system, the agencies and

frontier regions of FATA were put under control of political agents who were not accountable to anyone

for their actions. The system has been criticized since the inception of Pakistan, for having inhumane

laws that sabotaged the individuality of tribal people at large. The government of Pakistan has, in the

past, made efforts to bring reforms in the region; however, those endeavors have been proved futile. In

the recent past, two bills for the reformation of FATA were introduced. One of these was drafted in 2002

and in lieu of this, local government elections were held in FATA. The representatives, however, were not

authorized to take major decisions such as those pertaining to distribution of funds. The other draft was

prepared in 2012 in which urban councils in FATA were announced. This too was not materialized like

the �irst one.

The autocratic authorities that rule over FATAare still vested in the Governor's of�ice and in that of his

representative, Political Agent. Currently, after the success of military operations in FATA, National

Action Plan was brought into action. In point 12 of the same, sustainable reforms in FATA are demanded.

In this context, a �ive member committee, headed by Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister's advisor on Foreign

Affairs, was formed by the Prime Minister. The committee visited the tribal region the public viewpoint

regarding the FATA reforms where they discussed the future possibilities of the nature of reforms. Four

propositions for the future status of FATA were pondered upon: making FATA into a separate province,

merging FATA with KP, giving it a status similar to that of Gilgit-Baltistan, andmaintaining status quo in

FATA with the introduction of a few amendments and reforms in the existing system of FCR. The

committee presented its report in August 2016, in which the gradual merger of FATA into KP over a

transitional period of �ive years was suggested. Implementation of land reforms and the replacement of

FCR with the Tribal Areas Riwaj Act were also proposed in the report. Sartaj Aziz, the chairman of the

committee, explained that a judicial system would be established in FATA under the Peshawar High

Court, while local government elections would also be held during the �irst phase, as laid down in the

report. Moreover, a ten year development plan for FATA has also been proposed which would aim at

speeding up developmental activities with special focus on infrastructure. Funds for this purpose would

be provided by the federal government.

Rehabilita�on of IDPs

The most dif�icult task for any government regarding internal warfare is the evacuation of the civilians in

the war-torn area and, then, the rehabilitation of the displaced households. The way a government deals

with the repercussions of internal warfare by restoring peace in the region with minimal loss re�lects the

professionalism of the government. Our government has been quite professional in some aspects of the

internal warfare in�licted upon it during the last decade, though it might not have achieved signi�icant

success in its last stages, i.e, the restoration of the socio-economic features for the people affected by the

war.

16

Recently, the second phase of repatria�ng the IDP's of Orakzai also started,during which, presumably, 5,000 verified displaced familieswould be repatriated to their hometowns in Bezot, Ali Khel and Utman Khel areas. According to officials, 1800 registered displaced families of the agency have already returned to their villages in Upper Orakzai.

According to reports, the repatriated families are pleased with the health and educa�onal ins�tu�ons that the government has built as well as with the overall repatria�on process. However, some of the displaced families do not see the repatria�on as the most favorable op�on. Due to the territorial responsibility clause s�ll in prac�ce and the threats of militants, the locals find it more than difficult to envision a peaceful life back at home. The locals claim that the government, despite announcing that the region has been cleared of militants, will hold the repatriated families responsible for any a�ack on governmental convoy or ins�tu�on in their area. The tribesmen also claim that the Army has put a lot of restric�ons on the families who has returned, in form of daily curfews a�er sunset. On the other hand, the locals also complain to have received threats from the militants that if they returned, they might become a part of collateral damage as according to Taliban, SWA was s�ll a conflict zone. Due to the threats from Taliban and restric�ons of Government in form of curfews and territorial responsibility, most of the IDP's do not want to go back to their homes and prefer living the lives of IDP's in KP and other se�led areas of Pakistan, as they deem it a safer op�on.

Humanitarian organiza�ons like UNICEF and WFP are currently providing hygiene kits and six months of ra�on to the returnees. However, 80 percent of houses, including governmental ins�tu�ons likes schools and hospitals, in the war-torn agencies have been par�ally or completely destroyed during the opera�ons. It has been reported that three in every four returnees s�ll lack sufficient funds for basic requirements. The lack of water supply systems, livestock, seeds and complete destruc�on of sanita�on systems is making life even harder for the returnees, especially for those who depend on agriculture for livelihood.

To put an end to the problems faced by the IDP's,the government needs to implement the proclama�ons of provision of basic facili�es and protec�on of human rights. The government needs to provide the displaced families with proper shelter and basic human facili�es like the people of se�led areas of Pakistan. The region, in en�rety, needs to be cleared of miscreants. A�er that, the government should take the locals into confidence by ar�cula�ng a strategy that would either abolish or support the role of tribesmen regarding the territorial responsibility. If the government cannot ensure the complete elimina�on of militants or abolish the clause of collec�ve responsibility, then, it should remove the restric�ons from the tribesmen regarding their movements and armaments, so that the tribesmen could be able to defend themselves and the governmental proper�es in their areas for which they are held accountable.

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REPORT - FATA Research Centre

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